Book 1: Shattered Harmony

Part 2- Chapter 8: Home Again

Unruly Company

Chapter 8

Home again

Snow crunched under white boots. It had snowed the night before leaving Ninjago City under a blanket of white. Bright Christmas lights hung off light poles, music could be heard, and lots of bright colors in the windows to catch passers by. Zareth walked by his collar popped to keep to keep the wind away. His hands were stuffed into his pockets.

Moments ago he had been at Laffy's Boba in hand leaning against the bar. His head lightly bobbing to the music. Thats when a waitress walked over to him with a piece of paper. Within was Danny's handwriting. Dareth had been dating her for a few months now. Zareth had split apart so they were able to finally go out for that coffee, and apparently she loved the way Dareth made her laugh.

Dareth, it had come to my attention that I may not be as safe as we had thought. It started off slow. With people looking at me over news papers, or bumping into me taking my wallet. I just thought it was a coincodence. But now...I've noticed it getting worse. Last week someone ran into my car on purpose. When I tried to get out they held me there inside. I thought they were going to kill me, but left as soon as the police arrived, then I found a note on my apartment door. I tried to get some sleep that night, but I spotted someone staring at me through the window. I had to run. I didn't know where else to go. I'm sorry, but I wanted to tell someone what was going on. Just in case something happens to me. I wanted you to know I love you Dareth. Please take care. Eternally yours, Danny.

Zareth sighed, the cloud that escaped his lips seemed to catch his attention. He opened the door to his apartment building. He had been out trying to find her, without any luck. She hid herself pretty well. He swirled the toothpick around in his mouth and stopped dead in his tracks. Leaning against the wall next to his apartment door was what Zareth could have swarn was a frightened deer.

"Babe?" He called. She looked up and pulled the hood of her jacket back down. Her smile that broke across her face was that of happiness, but showed by fear, and tiredness. Zareth ran forward and noticed that Danny did too. The fear and doubt that Zareth felt earilier washed away when they hugged. The hug only lasted a few seconds before Danny pulled back and looked up at him.

"You got stuck again." Danny giggled. Zareth took the toothpick from his mouth and chuckled.

"What...aren't you happy to see me?" He cracked a smile at her. Danny giggled and swatted his shoulder.

"Oh of course I am. You're my hero remember." Danny giggled and watched Zareth unlock the apartment door for her. Zareth stepped aside and held out his hand for her.

"Come on in babe." He took her hand and kissed it. Danny blushed as always. The place was as usual either incredibly clean, or really really dirty. It was like Dareth didn't have a medium. Today at least it was clean.

"You have a key...why didn't you just go in?" Zareth asked putting a kettle on the stove and turned it on. He leaned against the counter to see Dannys smile disappear.

"I saw a black car in my drive way when I went home after school on Thursday...I wasn't able to grab the key...much less anything else. That and my wallet had been stolen so I've been living off whatever I had in the classroom. I keep snacks there." Danny felt a hand on her arm. She looked up into those bright gentle blue eyes. Thursday had been three days ago.

"When was the last time you ate?" He asked. Danny shook her head.

"Yesterday afternoon." She said she looked up at Zareth giving him the crooked smile she gave Dareth when she was unsure of what he was going to think.